There are two different types of ways to test for syphilis, and these include VLDR and RPR. VDLR stands for Venereal Disease Research Laboratory, while RPR stands for Rapid Plasma Region. VDLR was a test created by the Venereal Disease Research Laboratory during World War I. On the other hand, RPR was created as a more improved version of the VDLR.
RPR is the VDLR antigen, but it is comprised of carbon or charcoal particles, which make available the image of the specimen and antigen meeting without the use of a microscope. On the other hand, a VDLR test requires a microscope to determine the result of the test. VDLR tests also entail that the specimen must be freshly gathered.
Also, VDLR tests necessitate that it should be heated before tested. For an RPR test, the specimen does not need to be heated or unheated. These are all reasons why RPR is the ideal test for syphilis, and the significant advantages RPR has over VDLR are that RPR is easier, and it can even be purchased in a kit form.